back seat
Britishnoun
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a seat at the back, esp of a vehicle
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informal a subordinate or inconspicuous position (esp in the phrase take a back seat )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Discretionary purchases are going to take a back seat, and Vegas is a very discretionary decision,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026
Fertilizer components may take a back seat to oil and oil products when it comes to transiting Hormuz.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 16, 2026
Another young passenger in the back seat was hospitalized for a precautionary evaluation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 6, 2026
"Emotions take a back seat," he said, his eyes bloodshot after having worked with his colleagues throughout the night.
From Barron's ● May 25, 2026
Later, Sammy and Maybeth fell asleep easily, curled up along the back seat.
From "Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.